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Ecclesiastes 9:10

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 9:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun.
10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me:
← Ecclesiastes 9:9Ecclesiastes 9:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, etc.] Not anything that is evil, which is near at hand, and easy to be found, and is in the power of men’s hands to do, (<450721>Romans 7:21 <330201>Micah 2:1); for this is forbidden of God, abominable to him, and hurtful to men; but whatsoever is good; so the Targum, “to do good and alms to the poor;” even all good works in general, which God requires of men, and it is their duty to do; though they are not meritorious of anything at his hands, nor is there justification or salvation by them; yet should be done in obedience to the will of God, in gratitude to him for mercies received, and for his glory; as also for the profit of men, and for our own good;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whatsoever--namely, in the service of God. This and last verse plainly are the language of Solomon, not of a skeptic, as HOLDEN would explain it. hand, &c.-- (Lev 12:8, Margin; Sa1 10:7, Margin). thy might--diligence (Deu 6:5; Jer 48:10, Margin). no work . . . in the grave-- (Joh 9:4; Rev 14:13). "The soul's play-day is Satan's work-day; the idler the man the busier the tempter" [SOUTH].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Read these six verses connectedly, in order to arrive at the meaning of the writer; and compare Ecclesiastes 2:1-12. After the description Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 of the portionless condition of the dead, the next thought which occurs is that the man who is prosperous and active should simply enjoy his portion all through this life Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; and then Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 follows the correcting thought (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 note), introduced as usual Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 4:7 by “I returned,” namely, that the course of events is disposed and regulated by another will than that of man. The person addressed is one whose life of labor is already pleasing to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whatsoever - Whatever thou hast opportunity and ability to do, do it with unwearied diligence, and vigour and expedition. For - Thou canst neither design nor act any thing there tending to thy own comfort or advantage. Ecclesiastes 9:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:10 to the grave: Hebrew to Sheol. In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thy hand: Num 13:30; Ch1 22:19, Ch1 28:20, Ch1 29:2, Ch1 29:3; Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21; Ezr 6:14, Ezr 6:15; Neh 2:12-20, 3:1-16, Neh 4:2, Neh 4:6, Neh 4:9-13, Neh 4:17-23, 13:8-31; Psa 71:15-18; Jer 29:13; Mat 6:33; Joh 4:34; Rom 12:11, Rom 15:18-20; Co1 9:24, Co1 9:26; Co1 15:10, Co1 16:10; Eph 5:16; Col 3:23; Pe2 1:12-15 for: Ecc 9:5, Ecc 9:6, Ecc 11:3; Job 14:7-12; Psa 6:5, Psa 88:10-12; Isa 38:18, Isa 38:19; Joh 9:4; Act 20:25-31 Ecclesiastes 9:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification